Film imaged input system

ABSTRACT

A film image input system is disclosed which provides an increased degree of feedom of design thereof, can reduce the size and costs thereof, and can execute a trimming operation with ease. The film image input system forms an image of a developed still photo film 134 on a light receiving surface of an image pickup element 140 through a zoomable taking lens 138 and outputs to a monitor TV an image signal photo-electrically converted by the image pickup element 140 to thereby reproduce the film image on the screen of the monitor TV. The film image input system comprises at least one mirror 137 interposed between the photo film 134 and taking lens 138 for bending the optical axis of the taking lens 138, a mirror drive mechanism 168 for inclining the mirror 137 in all directions, and an operation part 170 for driving the mirror drive mechanism 168 in order to execute a desired scanning. This allows the system to be made compact and increases the freedom of design of the system.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 07/755,472 filed Sep. 5,1991 which is now pending.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a film image input system and, inparticular, to a film image input system which forms an image of adeveloped still photo film on a light receiving surface of an imagepickup element through a taking lens, converting the image into an imagesignal photo-electrically by the image pickup element, and outputtingthe image signal to a monitor TV, thereby reproducing the film image onthe screen of the monitor TV.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, there is known a film image input system which picks upan image of a developed still photo film by an image pickup element suchas a CCD or the like, converts the image into an image signal, andoutputs the image signal to a monitor TV.

In other words, as shown in FIG. 42, the conventional film image inputsystem 1 includes a lighting unit 4 to project an illuminating light tothe developed still photo film 2, a taking lens 6 and the image pickupelement (CCD) 8 which are all disposed on the same axis. In particular,the film 2 is disposed on the optical axis of the lighting unit 4 andtaking lens 6, and the light projected from the lighting unit 4illuminates the image recorded in the film 2. The light that hastransmitted through the film is condensed by the taking lens 6 and isfocused on the CCD 8, in which the image recorded on the film 2 isconverted into the image signal and is then output. In this manner, thefilm image can be reproduced on the monitor TV connected to the filmimage input system 1.

Also, according to the prior art, there are known other types of filmimage input systems which respectively include a zoom mechanism used tovary an image magnification, a film scan mechanism (X-Y movingmechanism), an image sensor rotating mechanism and the like (U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,482,924, 4,485,406, 4,506,300 and so on).

Further, there has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,419 patentpublication a film image input system which uses a single focus lens asa taking lens, moves the single focus lens to vary an imagemagnification, and also moves a CCD to thereby achieve a focusingaction.

However, due to the fact that the conventional film image input system 1is constructed in such a manner that the lighting unit 4, taking lens 6and CCD 8 are arranged in a line, the whole system is large in size andlong and narrow in shape which results in the limited freedom of designof the system. Also, if the system is constructed in such a manner thatthe single focus lens and CCD can be moved to thereby vary the imagemagnification, the whole system becomes further larger in size. Further,if the CCD is moved, it is difficult to provide wires within the systemwithout performing signal processings such as amplification and thelike, because a signal from the CCD is faint. For this reason, in thiscase, a signal process circuit must be moved together with the CCD.

Also, when only an image within a necessary range is taken out from oneframe of a film and the image is displayed (trimmed) on the entirescreen of the monitor TV, it is necessary to select the imagemagnification properly and at the same time to move (scan) the film 2 ortaking lens 6 in the longitudinal and transverse directions by use of anX-Y moving mechanism 9. Therefore, it is necessary to secure a space tomove the film 2 and taking lens 6 with respect to each other within therange of one frame of the film image, which increases the size of thefilm image input system.

Further, when the trimming is executed in this type of film image inputsystem, it is necessary to zoom the taking lens and to scan the film.However, when the trimming is executed once, because the portion of thefilm that is not displayed on the monitor TV is not known, zoomings andscannings must be performed very frequently in a fine adjustment timewhen the portion to be looked at is searched or the framing is executed,which results in the complicated operations. Also, to find out the frameto be looked at from a film having a large number of frames, the framemust be found by feeding the film frame by frame, which requires muchtime and takes pains.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims at eliminating the drawbacks found in theabove-mentioned conventional film image input system.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a film imageinput system which provides a large freedom of design and can be reducedin both size and cost.

It is another object of the invention to provide a film image inputsystem which can display which range of one frame an image beingcurrently displayed on a monitor TV is, can improve the operationabilitythereof in the zooming and scanning operations thereof, and also cansearch easily and quickly for a frame to be looked at on a monitor TVfrom the film having a large number of frames.

In order to achieve the above objects, according to the invention, thereis provided a film image input system which forms an image on adeveloped still photo film on a light receiving surface of an imagepickup element through a mirror and a single focus lens, and outputs toa monitor TV an image signal photo-electrically converted by the imagepickup element to thereby reproduce the film image on the screen of themonitor TV, the film image input system comprising: a rotary mechanismincluding the above-mentioned mirror, single focus lens and image pickupelement and rotatable to thereby vary the length of an optical path fromthe above-mentioned photo film to the image pickup element; mirror drivemeans for rotating the mirror on the rotary mechanism and for moving themirror in a direction of the optical axis of the single focus lens; lensdrive means for moving the single focus lens on the rotary mechanism inthe optical axis direction of the single focus lens; detect means fordetecting the angle of rotation of the rotary mechanism; and controlmeans, in accordance with the output of the detect means, forcontrolling the mirror drive means in such a manner that the light ofthe image of the photo film enters perpendicularly the image pickupelement and for controlling the lens drive means in such a manner thatthe single focus lens is moved to a focusing position, wherein the filmimage is zoomed by means of rotation of the rotary mechanism.

Also, according to the invention, there is provided a film image inputsystem which forms an image on a developed still photo film on a lightreceiving surface of an image pickup element by means of a zoomabletaking lens, outputs to a monitor TV an image signal photo-electricallyconverted by the image pickup element to thereby reproduce the filmimage on the screen of the monitor TV, the film image input systemcomprising: at least a mirror interposed between the photo film andtaking lens for bending the optical axis of the taking lens; mirrordrive means for inclining the mirror in all directions; and, operationmeans for driving the mirror drive means in order to execute a desiredscanning operation. Also, in the case of two mirrors, the systemincludes mirror drive means for controlling the mirror drive means todrive the two mirrors in such a manner that the two mirrors are inclinedat a given relationship in order for the optical axis of the taking lensto intersect the surface of the photo film. Further, in the case of amirror, the system includes film drive means which carries the photofilm thereon and inclines the photo film in all directions, and meansfor controlling the mirror drive means and film drive means in such amanner that the mirror and photo film are inclined at a givenrelationship in order for the optical axis of the taking lens tointersect the surface of the photo film.

Further, according to the invention, there is provided a film imageinput system which forms an image on a developed still photo filmthrough a mirror and a zoomable taking lens on a light receiving surfaceof an image pickup element and outputs an image signalphoto-electrically converted by the image pickup element to a monitor TVto thereby reproduce the film image on the screen of the monitor TV, thefilm image input system comprising: film feed means for feeding theframes of the photo film by feeding the photo film and for allowingscanning of the film image in a direction of feeding the film; mirrordrive means for inclining the mirror only in one direction to therebyscan the film image in a direction perpendicular to the film feedingdirection; and, operation means for driving the film feed means andmirror drive means to thereby execute a desired scanning operation.

Still further, according to the present invention, there is provided afilm image input system which forms an image on a developed still photofilm through a zoomable taking lens on a light receiving surface of animage pickup element and outputs a first image signal photo-electricallyconverted by the image pickup element to thereby reproduce the filmimage on the screen of a monitor TV, the film image input systemcomprising: a zoom mechanism for varying the image magnification of thetaking lens; a scan mechanism for moving the photo film and taking lensto each other; operation means for outputting zoom information and scaninformation; control means for controlling the zoom and scan mechanismsin accordance with the zoom and scan information output from theoperation means; an image memory for storing a second image signalrepresenting an image of the whole of one frame of the photo film; framegenerating means for generating a frame signal representing a trimmingframe having a size and a position corresponding to the zoom and scaninformation in accordance with the zoom and scan information output fromthe operation means; and, image combining means, in accordance with thefirst and second image signals and the frame signal, for generating athird image signal to display in combination within one screen a picturedisplaying an image of the whole of one frame in combination with thetrimming frame and a picture displaying only the image within thetrimming frame, and for outputting the third image signal to the monitorTV. Also, the film image input system further includes image combiningmeans for generating a third image signal to display a combined imagecomposed of the image of the whole one frame and the trimming frame inaccordance with the second image signal and the frame signal, andpicture switch means for outputting either of the first and third imagesignals to the monitor TV. In addition, the film image input systemfurther includes first memory means for storing the zoom information andscan information output from the operation means, second memory meansfor storing the zoom information and scan information to display theimage of the whole of one frame; control means for controlling the zoomand scan mechanisms in accordance with the zoom information and scaninformation output from the first memory means or the second memorymeans; image combining means, in accordance with the first image signaland the frame signal, for generating a second image signal representinga combined image produced by combining a photographed image with thetrimming frame; and, picture switch means for, during the trimmingoperation, outputting to the control means the zoom information and scaninformation stored in the second memory means and outputting the secondimage signal to the monitor TV, and, at the time of completion of thetrimming operation, for outputting to the control means the zoominformation and scan information stored in the first memory means andoutputting the first image signal to the monitor TV.

Yet further, according to the present invention, there is provided afilm image input system which forms an image on a developed still photofilm through a zoomable taking lens on a light receiving surface of animage pickup element and outputs to a monitor TV an image signalphoto-electrically converted by the image pickup element to therebyreproduce the film image on the screen of the monitor TV, the film imageinput system comprising: film feed means for taking up or rewinding thefilm frame by frame; instruction means for instructing creation of amulti-screen; an image memory for storing an image signal correspondingto one screen by means of n pieces of storage portions; image processmeans, when the multi-screen creation is instructed by the instructionmeans, operable to compress n pieces of frame image signals output fromthe image pickup element and then store the compress image signals inthe n pieces of storage portions of the image memory; screen switchmeans for outputting to the monitor TV either of the image signal fromthe image pickup element or the image signal stored in the image memory;means for selecting one small screen of a multi-screen consisting of npieces of small screens to be displayed on the monitor TV in accordancewith the image signal stored in the image memory; and, control means,when the multi-screen creation is instructed by the instruction means,for controlling the film feed means so that n pieces of frames arephotographed and controlling the screen switch means so that the imagesignal from the image memory is output to the monitor TV and, when asmall screen is selected by the select means, for controlling the filmfeed means so that the frame of the small screen selected isphotographed and controlling the screen switch means so that the imagesignal from the image pickup element is output to the monitor TV.

According to the present invention, there is used a single focus lens inplace of an expensive zoom lens and a film image zooming operation isexecuted by rotation of a rotary mechanism. In other words, if therotary mechanism is rotated, then the length of an optical pathextending from the photo film to the image pickup element is varied, themirror disposed on the rotary mechanism is also controlled in therotation and position thereof so that the image light of the photo filmcan enter the image pickup element perpendicularly thereto, and thesingle lens is moved to a focusing position. This allows the zoomingoperation. Here, because the optical axis of the single focus lens isbent by the mirror, the system can be made compact. And, due to the factthat the image pickup element is rotated together with the rotarymechanism according to the movement of the mirror, no problem arises inmounting the CCD and in arranging wires.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, due to thefact that the optical axis of the taking lens is bent by at least onemirror, the whole system can be made compact and the freedom of designof the system can be increased and also, due to the fact that thescanning is executed by inclining the mirror, a space necessary for thescanning can be reduced to a minimum. Also, by inclining the two mirrorsor the mirror and film at a given relationship so that the optical axisof the taking lens intersect perpendicularly the surface of the photofilm, focusing can be achieved over the whole film surface even when theimage magnification is increased. Further, the photo film feeding isused to feed the film frames and also to execute the scanning of thefilm image in the film feeding direction, and the inclination of themirror in one direction is used to achieve the scanning of the filmimage in a direction perpendicular to the film feeding direction. Due tothis, the mirror need be controlled only in one direction for thescanning operation.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, theimage combining means generates a third image signal to display twoscreens in combination within one screen of the monitor TV; one is ascreen to display a combined picture of the image of the whole of oneframe and the trimming frame, the other is a screen of the image beingcurrently photographed within the trimming frame. When only the imagewithin a necessary range is taken out from within one frame of the filmand the image is trimmed to be displayed over the entire screen of themonitor TV, the third image signal is output to the monitor TV, wherebytwo screens, that is, a screen of a combined picture of the image of thewhole of one frame and the trimming frame and a screen of the imagebeing currently photographed within the trimming frame are displayed incombination within one screen of the monitor TV. Here, the image signalfor the screen including the trimming frame combined therein isgenerated not only in accordance with a frame signal generated from theframe generating means in accordance with the zoom information and scaninformation output from the operation means but also in accordance withthe above-mentioned second image signal.

Therefore, according to the trimming operation (the zoom information andscan information output from the operation means), the trimming frame ismoved within the screen of the whole of one frame and the size of theframe is varied. By means of this, a desired trimming operation can beexecuted while observing the trimming frame within the screen of thewhole of one frame. Also, after completion of the trimming operation,only the trimming image being currently photographed can be displayed bymeans of the screen switch means.

Also, according to yet another embodiment of the present invention,images of a plurality of frames can be displayed simultaneously in onescreen of the monitor TV and the frame to be observed can be selectedwhile watching the screen. In other words, if the multi-screen creationis instructed by the instruction means, then n pieces of frames arephotographed by the taking lens while controlling the film feed means,in particular, the frame feeding of the film feed means. The imagesignal of each of n pieces of frames output from the image pickupelement is compressed and the compressed image signal is then stored inan image memory having n pieces of storage portions as an image signalcorresponding to one screen. And, if the image signals stored in theimage memory are output to the monitor TV, then the images of n piecesof frames can be displayed as a multi-screen consisting of n pieces ofsmall screens. Then, if one of the small screens is selected whilewatching the multi-screen, then the film feed means is controlled sothat the image of the frame of the small screen selected is formed onthe image pickup element through the taking lens. The image signal fromthe image pickup element is output to the monitor TV, so that the smallscreen selected can be displayed on the entire screen of the monitor TV.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The exact nature of this invention, as well as other objects, featuresand advantages thereof, will be readily apparent from consideration ofthe following specification relating to the accompanying drawings, inwhich like reference characters designate the same or similar partsthroughout the figures thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a film image inputsystem according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of a modification of the film image input system shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a film imageinput system according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the structure of interiors of the filmimage input system shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view of details of a mirror and a mirror drive mechanismrespectively shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of a film image inputsystem according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view used to illustrate how to control a mirrorwhen a transverse scanning operation is executed by the film image inputsystem shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of main portions of the film image inputsystem shown in FIG. 6, illustrating a standard condition before ascanning operation is started by the film image input system;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view used to illustrate how an optical axis ismoved when the mirror shown in FIG. 6 is rotated θ_(x)° clockwise roundX1 axis;

FIG. 11 is a developed view of a triangular pyramid O --ABC shown inFIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view used to illustrate how to control amirror when a longitudinal scanning operation is executed by the filmimage input system shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 13 is a developed view of a triangular pyramid O--A' B' C' shown inFIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view used to illustrate how the mirror and filmare moved when the longitudinal scanning operation is executed by thefilm image input system shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 15 is an arrow view of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a modification of the film image inputsystem shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a film imageinput system according to the invention;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of the structure of interiors of the filmimage input system shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is an explanatory view used to illustrate how to control amirror when a transverse scanning operation is executed by the filmimage input system shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is an explanatory view used to illustrate how to control amirror when a longitudinal scanning operation is executed by the filmimage input system shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 21 is a plan view of another mirror arrangement of the film imageinput system shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of a fifth embodiment of a film image inputsystem according to the invention;

FIG. 23 is a plan view of another mirror arrangement of the film imageinput system shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a block diagram of a sixth embodiment of a film image inputsystem according to the invention:

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of details of an operation part of thefilm image input system shown in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a view of an example of display in a monitor TV employed inthe film image input system shown in FIG. 24;

FIG. 27 is a flow chart used to explain the operation of the film imageinput system shown in FIG. 24;

FIG. 28 is a view of an example of display in the monitor TV employed inthe film image input system shown in FIG. 24;

FIG. 29 is a view of another example of display in the monitor TVemployed in the film image input system shown in FIG. 24;

FIG. 30 is a block diagram of a seventh embodiment of a film image inputsystem according to the invention:

FIGS. 31 (A) and (B) are respectively views of examples of display in amonitor TV employed in the film image input system shown in FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a block diagram of an eighth embodiment of a film image inputsystem according to the invention;

FIG. 33 is a block diagram of a ninth embodiment of a film image inputsystem according to the invention;

FIG. 34 is a view of details of a frame detector employed in the filmimage input system shown in FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a view of an example of a multi-screen to be displayed by amonitor TV employed in the film image input system shown in FIG. 33;

FIG. 36 is a view of details of an operation part employed in the filmimage input system shown in FIG. 33;

FIG. 37 is a flow chart used to illustrate the operation of the filmimage input system shown in FIG. 33;

FIG. 38 is a block diagram of a tenth embodiment of a film image inputsystem according to the invention;

FIG. 39 is a view of an example of a multi-screen to be displayed by amonitor TV employed in the film image input system shown in FIG. 38;

FIG. 40 is a view of details of an operation part of the film imageinput system shown in FIG. 39;

FIG. 41 is a block diagram of a eleventh embodiment of a film imageinput system according to the invention; and,

FIG. 42 is a schematic view of an example of a film image input systemaccording to the prior art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed description will hereunder be given of the preferredembodiments of a film image input system according to the presentinvention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

In FIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram of a first embodiment of afilm image input system according to the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, the film image input system 10 mainly consists of a rotary plate22, a rotary mechanism including a servo motor 23, a mirror mechanismincluding servo motors 26, 32, a lens drive mechanism including a servomotor 48, a control circuit 20, a lighting unit including a light source56 and an diffusion plate 58, and other parts.

The rotary plate 22 forming the rotary mechanism is disposed in such amanner that it can be rotated about a center of rotation O in adirection of arrows A-B in FIG. 1, and the rotary plate 22 can berotated in the arrows A-B direction by the servo motor 23 which isdisposed in the neighborhood of the center of rotation O. To therotation center O of the rotary plate 22 is fixed a CCD 38 which, if therotary plate 22 is rotated by the servo motor 23, is then rotated in thearrows A-B direction together with the rotary plate 22. Here, it shouldbe noted that an image process circuit 40 to process an electric signaloutput from the CCD 38 is connected to the CCD 38.

Also, the servo motor 26 forming the mirror drive mechanism is disposedin the rotary plate 22 in such a manner that it is free to move in adirection of arrows C-D in FIG. 1 and the servo motor 32 is fixed to therotary plate 22. The servo motor 26 has an output shaft on which amirror 24 is disposed, and the servo motor 26 is adapted to be able torotate the mirror 24 about a point P in a direction of arrows E-F inFIG. 1. Also, a ball nut 30 is fixed through a shaft 28 to the servomotor 26 and the ball nut 30 is in threaded engagement with a ball screw34 which is connected with the output shaft of the servo motor 32.Therefore, if the servo motor 32 is driven, then the mirror 24 is movedin the arrows C-D direction together with the servo motor 26.

Further, in the rotary plate 22, there is disposed a single focus lens42 in such a manner that it is free to move in the arrows C-D direction.To the single focus lens 42 is fixed through a shaft 44 a ball nut 46,which ball nut 46 is in turn threadedly engaged with a ball screw 50connected to the output shaft of the servo motor 48. For this reason, ifthe servo motor 48 is driven, then the single focus lens 42 is moved inthe arrows C-D direction.

The control circuit 20 drives and controls the servo motors 23, 26, 32and 48 in accordance with zoom signals from a zoom switch (which is notshown). In other words, the control circuit 20, when the rotary plate 22is rotated, controls the moving position of the mirror 24 in the arrowsC-D direction and the rotating position of the mirror 24 in the arrowsE-F direction such that the image light of a developed still photo film54 can enter perpendicularly a light receiving surface of the CCD 38through the mirror 24 and single focus lens 42, and also controls thesingle focus lens 42 such that it is moved to a focusing position.

More particularly, assuming that a light ray passing through an imagecenter of a film 54 and perpendicular to the surface of the film isexpressed as L1 and the optical axis of the single focus lens 42 (alight ray passing through the centers of the single focus lens 42 andCCD 38) is expressed as L2, the control circuit 20 controls the positionof the mirror 24 so that the rotational center P of the mirror 24 is ata point where the light rays L1 and L2 intersect with each other, andalso controls the angle of the mirror 24 so that an angle of incidenceof light ray L1 onto the mirror 24 is equal to an angle of reflection ofthe light ray L2. Also, if a distance between the film 58 and the singlefocus lens 42 is expressed as a, a distance between the single focuslens 42 and the CCD 38 is expressed as b, and the focal distance of thesingle focus lens 42 is expressed as f, then the position of the singlefocus lens 42 is moved in such a manner that the following equation canbe satisfied: ##EQU1##

The moving positions and rotational angles of the rotary plate 22,mirror 24 and single focus lens 42 are respectively detected by adetector and the detect signals of the detector are respectively inputto the control circuit 20. The control circuit 20, in accordance withthe position and angle information input therein, controls such that themirror 24 and single focus lens 42 are respectively at given positionsand angles.

Also, if the mirror 24 is moved in such a manner to satisfy theabove-mentioned condition, then the angle of rotation of the mirror 24is one-half the angle of rotation of the rotary plate 22 and, for thisreason, if the rotation is transmitted by means of a reduction mechanismsuch as a gear train or the like, there is eliminated the need tocontrol the angle of rotation of the mirror 24.

Next, description will be given below of the operation of the film imageinput system of the invention constructed in the above-mentioned manner.

At first, a zoom switch on an operation panel is operated to input tothe control circuit 20 a zoom signal which is used to zoom in or zoomout. The control circuit 20 drives the servo motor 23 of the rotarymechanism in accordance with the zoom signal input therein to therebyrotate the rotary plate 22.

The angle of rotation and the position of the mirror 24 as well as theposition of the single focus lens 42 are determined fixedly with respectto the arbitrary angle of rotation of the rotary plate 22, and thecontrol circuit 20 has a table in which data indicating the angle ofrotation and the position of the mirror 24 as well as the position ofthe single focus lens 42 with respect to the angle of rotation of therotary plate 22 are previously stored. The control circuit 20 reads outthe respective data from the table in accordance with the angle ofrotation of the rotary plate 22, and applies drive signals to the servomotors 26, 32 and 48 in accordance with the data read out so that theangle of rotation and the position of the mirror 24 as well as theposition of the single focus lens 42 provide the angle and positionscorresponding to the angle of rotation of the rotary plate 22.

By means of the above, for example, if the rotary plate 22 is rotated ina direction of an arrow B, then the mirror 24, single focus lens 42 andCCD 38 are respectively moved to positions shown by broken lines and theimage magnification is decreased.

Although in the above-mentioned embodiment the mirror 24 is moved in thearrows C-D direction by the servo motor 32, alternatively, as shown inFIG. 2, a guide groove 70 may be formed in the film image input system10 and the shaft 74 of the mirror 24 may be inserted into a guide groove72 of the rotary plate 22 and the guide groove 70. According to suchstructure, if the rotary plate 22 is rotated in a direction of an arrowA in FIG. 2, then the mirror 24 is moved along the guide groove 70.

Second Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of a secondembodiment of a film image input system according to the invention. Asshown in FIG. 3, according to the present film image input system 130, adeveloped film 134 is illuminated by a light unit 136, and an imagelight is reflected by a mirror 137 (which will be described later) andan image on the film is picked up by an image pickup device including ataking lens 138 and CCD 140. That is, by providing the mirror 137, theoptical axis 139A of the taking lens 138 can be bent substantially atright angles, which can increase the freedom of design of the wholesystem.

As the CCD 140, there is used a CCD for a reflected image, and an imagesignal photo-electrically converted by the CCD 140 is output to amonitor TV (not shown) so that a film image can be reproduced on thescreen of the monitor TV.

Also, the film 134 is a developed negative or positive film and isstored in a film cartridge 142 having two shafts, and the film cartridge142 is set in a cartridge storage portion 144.

The lighting unit 136 serves also as a cover for the cartridge storagepart 144 and can be opened and closed in a direction of arrows A-B inFIG. 3. The lighting unit 136 includes a light source, a reflectionplate and a diffusion plate: the reflection plate reflects a lightprojected from the light source on to the diffusion plate efficiently;and, the diffusion plate can turn out the reflected light into adiffusion light. The diffusion light illuminates the image of the film134 and the thus illuminated film image is then guided to the takinglens 138.

The above-mentioned mirror 137, as shown in FIG. 4, is disposed inclinedon the optical axis 139A of the taking lens 138 and CCD 140 and isrotatable about X and Y axes existing on the same plane with the mirror137. The X and Y axes are two axes which intersects perpendicularly witheach other. That is, the mirror 137, as shown in FIG. 5, is disposed ina main body 130A of the film image input system 130 through a ball 146in such a manner that it is free to incline in all directions. Themirror 137 is energized by springs 148, 148 such that it is pressedagainst the main body 130A, and the mirror 137 is also energized by aspring 150 in a counter clockwise direction in FIG. 5. Also, a camsurface of a cam 152 for the X axis is in contact with the mirror 137 onthe X axis, and the cam 152 is disposed rotatable through a pin 154. Tothe pin 154 is fixedly secured a gear 156, which gear 156 is in turnconnected through gears 158, 160, 162, 164 to a motor 166 for the Xaxis.

As described above, with reference to FIG. 5, description has been givenof the mirror drive mechanism which rotates the mirror 137 about the Xaxis. However, a mirror drive mechanism to rotate the mirror about the Yaxis is also constructed similarly. That is, the mirror drive mechanism168 shown in FIG. 4 consists mainly of the cam 152 for the X axis, themotor 166 for the X axis and a cam for the Y axis, a motor for the Yaxis, and the like. If the X axis motor 166 or the Y axis motor isdriven, then the X axis cam 152 or the Y axis cam is rotated to therebyrotate the mirror 137 about the X axis or the Y axis.

Therefore, when the mirror 137 is rotated about the X axis, theoperation part 170 (see FIG. 4) is operated to drive the X axis motor166 of the mirror drive mechanism 168. By means of this, the rotationalforce of the X axis motor 166 is transmitted through the gears 164, 162,160, 158, 156 to the cam 152 for the X axis. When the X axis cam 152 isrotated, then the mirror 137 is rotated about the X axis. Similarly, torotate the mirror 137 about the Y axis, the operation part 170 may beoperated to drive the Y axis motor of the mirror drive mechanism 168.

If the mirror 137 is rotated about the X axis and Y axis in this manner,then an optical axis 139B shown in FIG. 4 is caused to swing about themirror 137 and, therefore, the optical axis 139B moves on the film 134.By means of this, the film image can be scanned. If the operation part170 is operated to drive the zoom mechanism 172, the image magnificationcan be changed. Also, the focus mechanism 46 is used to focus the zoomlens 12.

Accordingly, by driving the zoom mechanism 172 to select the imagemagnification properly and also by driving the mirror drive mechanism168 to scan the film image, it is possible to take out only the imagewithin a necessary range from one frame of the film and to display(trim) the image over the entire screen of the monitor TV.

Although the CCD for a reflected image is used as the CCD 140 in theabove-mentioned embodiment, this is not limitative but, if the film 134is set inside out, then a CCD for other than a reflected image can alsobe used.

Third Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a block diagram of a thirdembodiment of a film image input system according to the invention. InFIG. 6, parts used in common with the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4are given the same designations and the detailed description thereof isomitted here.

The third embodiment of the present film image input system is differentfrom the second embodiment mainly in that the film 134 is also inclined.In other words, in the second embodiment of the present film image inputsystem, the optical axis 139B is swung as the film image is scanned and,for this reason, the optical axis 139B fails to intersect the filmsurface perpendicularly. Because of this, when the image magnificationis great in which the depth of field is shallow, focusing cannot beachieved at a place where the angle of field of the trimming image isgreat. In view of this, according to the third embodiment of the presentfilm image input system, the film 134 is inclined to the scanning inorder for the optical axis 139B to intersect the film surfaceperpendicularly, thereby solving the above-mentioned problem found inthe second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, the mirror drive mechanism 168 rotates the mirror137 about the X1 axis and Y1 axis to thereby swing the optical axis 139Bso as to execute the scanning operation.

On the other hand, the film 134 is placed on film holding means (notshown) and the film holding means is constructed in such a manner thatit can be rotated about the X2 axis and Y2 axis existing on the sameplane with the film 134 and intersecting each other perpendicularly. Afilm drive mechanism 178 is constructed similarly to the mirror drivemechanism 168 (see FIG. 5). Therefore, if a motor for the X2 axis or amotor for the Y2 axis of the film drive mechanism 178 is driven, then acam for the X2 axis or a cam for the Y2 axis is rotated to therebyrotate the film holding means, so that the film 134 is rotated about theX2 axis or Y2 axis.

Also, the operation part 170 outputs to the mirror drive mechanism 168 asignal to instruct an angle of rotation of the mirror 137 and at thesame time outputs the signal to a control circuit 175. The controlcircuit 175, when the mirror 137 is driven to the angle of rotationinstructed, controls the inclination of the film 134 through the filmdrive mechanism 170 so that the optical axis 139B to be bent by themirror 137 can intersect the film surface perpendicularly.

Now, description will be given below of the operation of the film imageinput system in the above-mentioned manner.

At first, when scanning the image transversely, for example, if theoperation part 170 is operated to rotate the mirror 137 θ20 clockwiseabout the Y1 axis (see FIG. 7), then the control circuit 175 controlsthe film 134 to rotate 2θ° clockwise about the Y2 axis. That is, theoperation part 170 applies to the mirror drive mechanism 168 a signal torotate the mirror θ° clockwise. Responsive to this, the mirror drivemechanism 168 is operated to rotate the mirror 137 θ° clockwise aboutthe Y1 axis, so that, as shown in FIG. 7, the optical axis 139B bent bythe mirror 137 is rotated 2θ° clockwise.

On the other hand, the control circuit 175, when receiving the sameinstruction as the rotation instruction applied to the mirror drivemechanism 168 from the operation part 170, changes the instruction intoan instruction to rotate the film 134 2θ° clockwise about the Y2 axisand controls the film drive mechanism 178 in accordance with this newinstruction. As a result of this, the film 134 is rotated 2θ° clockwiseabout the Y2 axis and the optical axis 139B rotated 2θ° by the mirror137 is allowed to intersect the surface of the film 134 perpendicularly.

Also, although a longitudinal scanning is operated almost similarly tothe transverse scanning, the longitudinal and transverse scannings aredifferent from each other in the following respects: that is, in thecase the transverse scanning, the mirror 137 is rotated θ° clockwiseabout the Y1 axis and at the same time the film 134 is rotated 2θ°clockwise about the Y2 axis, while in the case of the longitudinalscanning the mirror 137 is rotated θ_(x)° clockwise about the X1 axisand θ_(y)° clockwise about the Y1 axis and at the same time the film 134is rotated θ° counter clockwise about the X2 axis.

However, it should be noted here that an equation (1) must hold:##EQU2##

Here, description will be given of a manner to find the above-mentionedequation. At first, description will be given of a manner to rotate themirror and film when the film is scanned in the Y2 axis direction.

When the mirror is rotated θ_(x)° clockwise about the X1 axis from thestate thereof shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, then the optical axis of a lightincident on the lens is caused to move between the film and mirror, asshown in FIG. 10. Here, assuming that an arbitrary point A is taken onthe optical axis between the lens and mirror, an intersection pointbetween a surface passing through A and parallel to X1, Y1 surfaces andan orthogonal projection of the optical axis on the X1, Y1 surfacesbetween the film and mirror is expresses as B, an intersection pointwith the optical axis between the film and mirror is expressed as C, anintersection point with the Z1 axis is expressed as D, and anintersection point with a normal of the mirror is expressed as E, then atriangular pyramid O--ABC can be obtained. A developed view of thetriangular pyramid 0--ABC is shown in FIG. 11. In FIG. 11,

    ∠DOA=∠OAD=45°,

    ∠OAD=∠ODB=∠ODE=∠ADE=∠ABC=∠OBC=90.degree.,

    ∠DOE=θ.sub.x

here, assuming that ∠BOD=α, DO=DA=L, then α (that is, an angle of thelight about the Y axis when the mirror is rotated θ_(x) clockwise aboutthe X axis) can be obtained from the following equation: ##EQU3## Thatis, the following equation can be obtained: ##EQU4##

From a cosine theorem, the following equation (4) can be obtained:##EQU5##

From a sine theorem, the following equation (5) can be obtained:##EQU6##

Next, as shown in FIG. 12, if the mirror is rotated θ_(y) /2 clockwiseabout the Y1 axis in order that an angle formed between the orthogonalprojection of the optical axis on the X1, Y1 surfaces between the filmand mirror and the Z1 axis is 45°, then the following equation isobtained:

    θ.sub.y =α-45°

Also, if an intersection point of a plane passing through an arbitrarypoint A' on the optical axis between the lens and mirror and parallel tothe X1, Y1 planes with respect to the orthogonal projection of theoptical axis on the X1, Z1 planes between the film and mirror isexpressed as B', an intersection point of the above plane with respectto the optical axis between the film and mirror is expressed as C', anintersection point of the above plane with respect to the normal of themirror is expressed as E', and an intersection point of the above planewith respect to the orthogonal projection on the X1, Z1 planes isexpressed as D', then a triangular pyramid 0--A' B' C' can be obtained.In FIG. 13, there is shown a developed view of the thus obtainedtriangular pyramid 0--A' B' C'. In FIG. 13, if an intersection point ofA' B' with respect to the Z1 axis is expressed as F' and ∠B'OC'=θ° (thatis, an angle θ formed between the X1, Z1 planes and the optical axisobtained when an angle of the light round the Y1 axis after the mirroris rotated θ_(x)), then the following equation (6) can be obtained:##EQU7##

Accordingly, in order to make the film surface perpendicular withrespect to the optical axis, the film surface may be rotated θ° counterclockwise about the X2 axis. Here, FIG. 14 is a perspective view toillustrate how the mirror and film are rotated, and FIG. 15 is an arrowview of FIG. 14, seen from a direction of an arrow. In this manner, thefilm can be scanned in the longitudinal direction thereof. Now, θ of theequation (6) can be obtained according to the following equation (7):that is, ##EQU8##

As described above, by rotating the mirror 137 and film 134 at a givenrelationship, the optical axis 139B can be made to intersect the film134 perpendicularly, with the result that focusing can be achieved overthe whole trimming image even when the image magnification is great.

In FIG. 16, there is shown a block diagram of a modification of the filmimage input system shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 16, parts used in commonwith FIG. 6 are given the same designations and the detailed descriptionthereof is omitted here.

According to the film image input system shown in FIG. 6, the signal toindicate the angle of rotation of the mirror 137 is input from theoperation part 170 to the control circuit 175, while according to thefilm image input system shown in FIG. 16, there is provided a rotationangle detector 179, the angle of rotation of the mirror 137 is detectedby use of the rotation angle detector 179, and a signal to indicate theangle of rotation of the mirror 137 is then applied to a control circuit176.

Fourth Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 17, there is shown a perspective view of a fourthembodiment of a film image input system according to the invention. InFIG. 17, parts used in common with FIG. 3 are given the samedesignations and the detailed description is omitted here.

The film image input system shown in FIG. 17 is different from the filmimage input system 130 shown in FIG. 3 in that it uses 2 mirrors 137A,137B to bend the optical axis of the taking lens 138.

In other words, due to provision of the two mirrors 137A, 137Binterposed between the lighting unit 136 and taking lens 138, theoptical axis 139A of the taking lens 138 can be bent substantially in aU shape and thus the freedom of design of the whole system can also beincreased.

In FIG. 18, there is shown a block diagram of the structure of interiorsof the film image input system shown in FIG. 17. In FIG. 18, parts usedin common with the film image input system shown in FIG. 6 are given thesame designations and the detailed description thereof is omitted here.

The mirror 137B, as shown in FIG. 18, is disposed inclined on theoptical axis 139A of the taking lens 138 and CCD 140 and is rotatableabout the X2 axis and Y2 axis on the same plane with the mirror 137B.Also, the mirror 137A, as shown in FIG. 18, is disposed inclined on theoptical axis 139B which is reflected by the mirror 137B and is bentsubstantially at right angles, and is rotatable about the X1 axis, Y1axis on the same plane with the mirror 137A. And, the mirror 137A can beinclined about the X1 axis and Y1 axis by a mirror drive mechanism 168A,while the mirror 137B can be inclined about the X2 axis and Y2 axis by amirror drive mechanism 168B.

The operation part 170 is able to output to the mirror drive mechanism168A a signal for instruction of scanning to thereby drive the mirrordrive mechanism 168A. The rotation angle detectors 179A, 179Brespectively detect the angles of rotation of the mirrors 137A, 137B andoutput to the control circuit 177 signals which indicate the angles ofrotation detected. And, in accordance with the detected rotation anglesfrom the angle rotation detectors 179A, 179B, the control circuit 177controls the mirror drive mechanism 168B so that the optical axis 139Cbent by the mirror 137A can intersect the film surface perpendicularly.

Description will be given below of the operation of the film image inputsystem constructed in the above mentioned manner.

At first, description will be given of a case in which the image isscanned in the transverse direction thereof. In this case, firstly themirror drive mechanism 168A is driven by an instruction from theoperation part 170 so that the mirror 137A is rotated about the Y1 axis,thereby rotating the mirror 137A θ° clockwise about the Y1 axis, asshown in FIG. 19. The angle of this rotation is detected by the rotationangle detector 179A and is then applied to the control circuit 177. Thecontrol circuit 177, in accordance with a signal applied thereto fromthe rotation angle detector 179A, controls the mirror drive mechanism168B so that the mirror 137B can be rotated θ° clockwise about the Y2axis.

As a result of this, the optical axis 139B is rotated clockwise aboutthe mirror 137B in FIG. 19, and the optical axis 139B is bent by themirror 137A to turn out an optical axis 139C which in turn intersectsthe surface of the film 134 at a right angle. For this reason, themonitor screen is moved from the screen 134A of the film 134 to thescreen 134B thereof, so that the transverse scanning of the image can beexecuted. Here, the rotation angle detector 179B feeds back to thecontrol circuit 177 a signal to indicate the angle of rotation of themirror 137B.

Next, description will be given below of a case in which the image isscanned in the longitudinal direction thereof. In this case, firstly,the mirror drive mechanism 168A is driven by an instruction from theoperation part 170 so that the mirror 137A is rotated about the X1 axis,thereby rotating the mirror 137A θ° clockwise about the X1 axis as shownin FIG. 20. The angle θ of this rotation is detected by the rotationangle detector 179A and is then applied to the control circuit 177. Inaccordance with a signal applied thereto from the rotation angledetector 179A, the control circuit 177 controls the mirror drivemechanism 168B so that the mirror 137B is rotated θ° about the X2 axiscounter clockwise (that is, in the reverse direction as in the mirror137A). As a result of this, the optical axis 139B is rotated about themirror 137B downwardly in FIG. 20, that is, downwardly along the Y1axis. The optical axis 139B is bent by the mirror 137A to turn out theoptical axis 139C, which in turn intersects the surface of the film 134at a right angle. For this reason, the monitor screen is moved from thescreen 134C of the film 134 to the screen 134D thereof, thereby allowingthe longitudinal scanning of the image.

As mentioned above, by rotating the mirrors 137A, 137B at a givenrelationship therebetween, the optical axis 139C can be made tointersect the surface of the film 134 at a right angle, so that focusingcan be achieved over the whole trimming image even when thephotographing magnification is great.

However, although in the above-mentioned embodiment the mirrors 137A,137B are disposed so as to be able to bend the optical axis of thetaking lens 138 substantially in an S shape, this is not limitative but,as shown in FIG. 21, the mirrors 137A, 137B may be disposed such thatthey can bent the optical axis of the taking lens 138 substantially in aZ shape or in an S shape. This enhances further the freedom of design ofthe whole system. Here, a view drawn by a two-dot chained line in FIG.21 is an arrow view seen from the front sides of the mirrors. Also, evenin this case as well, by controlling the respective mirrors similarly tothe above-mentioned mirrors, the optical axis 139C can be made tointersect the surface of the film 134 at a right angle.

Fifth Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 22, there is shown a block diagram of a fifthembodiment of a film image input system according to the invention. InFIG. 22, parts used in common with the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4are given the same designations and the detailed description thereof isomitted here.

The fifth embodiment of the present film image input system is differentfrom the second embodiment of the present film image input system inthat the scanning operation is executed by means of the rotation of themirror 180 and by means of the feeding of the film 134, while in thesecond embodiment the scanning operation is executed by rotating one ortwo mirrors about the X and Y axes.

In other words, according the fifth embodiment, a mirror 180 isconstructed such that it can be rotated only about one axis (X axis), anoperation part 186 outputs to a mirror drive mechanism 182 a signal toinstruct the vertical scanning of the film 134 and outputs to a filmfeed mechanism 184 a signal to instruct the right and left scanning ofthe film 134.

The mirror drive mechanism 182, in accordance with a signal appliedthereto from an operation part 186, rotates the mirror 180 about the Xaxis, so that the optical axis 139B reflected by the mirror 180 can bemade to swing in the vertical direction of the film 134.

On the other hand, a film feed mechanism 184 is able to execute theframe feeding, winding and rewinding of the film 134 and is also able toexecute a scanning operation in the right and left directions of thefilm 134 by feeding the film 134 at low speeds.

As mentioned above, the scannings in the vertical as well as right andleft directions of the film 134 can be executed by means of the rotationof the mirror 180 and by means of the feeding of the film 134. Thisprovides an advantage that the support mechanism and drive mechanism ofthe mirror 180 can be constructed in a simplified manner.

Here, the number of the mirror(s) is not limited to one but, as shown inFIG. 23, two mirrors 180A, 180B may be used. Also, a photographingoptical system shown in FIG. 23 is constructed in such a manner that azooming operation can be executed by moving the mirror 180 and a singlefocus lens 188.

That is, the optical axis of the single focus lens 188 is bentsubstantially in a Z shape by the two mirrors 180A, 180B. The mirror180A is rotatably disposed, and the mirror 180B is disposed rotatably aswell as movably. Also, the single focus lens 188 is disposed in such amanner that it is movable in the optical axis direction.

Also, by moving the mirror 180A, the length of the optical pathextending from the film 134 to a CCD 140 can be varied. And, by rotatingthe two mirrors 180A, 180B at a given relationship therebetween by useof a mirror drive mechanism (not shown) according to the length of theoptical path, the light of the image can be guided to the single focuslens 188. Also, the single focus lens 188 can be moved to a focusingposition by means of a lens drive mechanism (not shown) according to thelength of the optical path.

Here, when the two mirrors 180A, 180B and single focus lens 188 aremoved to the positions shown by solid lines, then the imagemagnification becomes a standard magnification (for example, amagnification at which the whole of one frame of the film 134 isreproduced on the monitor TV); and, when they are moved to the positionsshown by broken lines respectively, then the image magnification can bezoomed to 6 times the above-mentioned standard magnification. Also,although in the above mentioned embodiment the optical axis of thesingle focus lens 188 is bent substantially in a Z shape by the twomirrors 180A, 180B, the optical axis may be bent substantially in a Ushape. However, when the optical axis of the single focus lens 188 isbent substantially in a Z shape by use of the two mirrors 180A, 180B, itis advantageous to execute a zooming operation by moving one of themirrors and only a small space is required. Also, when the optical axisof the single focus lens 188 is bent substantially in a U shape, thefilm, CCD and other parts can be arranged in a different manner from thecase in which the optical axis is bent substantially in a Z shape.

Sixth Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 24, there is shown a block diagram of a sixthembodiment of a film image input system according to the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 24, in the present film image input system,an image on a developed film 210 is picked up by an image pickup deviceincluding a taking lens 212 and a CCD 214, and an image signal toindicate the pickup image is output to a frame memory 216 and an imageprocess circuit 220. The image process circuit 220 executes an imageprocessing to be discussed later, generates a given image signal, andoutputs the image signal to the monitor TV 240. As a result of this, theimage of the film 210 is displayed in the monitor TV 240. Here, itshould be noted that, when the film 210 is a negative film, an imageprocessing to execute a negative/positive inversion is also performed inthe image process circuit 220.

In the operation part 230, as shown in FIG. 25, there are provided azoom switch 232, a scan switch 234 and a screen switching switch 236.And, responsive to the switching operations of the zoom switch 232 andscan switch 234, a zoom signal and a scan signal are applied to acontrol circuit 242 and to a frame generation circuit 222 with the imageprocess circuit 220 and, if the screen switching switch 236 is turnedon, then an enable signal is applied to an image combination circuit 224within the image process circuit 220.

On inputting a zoom signal from the operation part 230, the controlcircuit 242 controls a zoom mechanism 244 in accordance with the zoomsignal to thereby zoom the taking lens 212 as well as to zoom in and outthe film image. Also, a focus mechanism 246 is used to focus the takinglens 212.

Also, on inputting a scan signal from the operation part 230, thecontrol circuit 242 controls a scan mechanism 248 in accordance with thescan signal to thereby scan the film image in the vertical direction aswell as in the right and left direction thereof.

Here, the movement of the film 210 in the right and left direction (Xdirection) is enforced by winding or rewinding the film 210, while theframe feeding of the film 210 is achieved by feeding the film 210 by agiven amount in the X direction. Also, the scanning of the film image inthe upward and downward (vertical) direction as well as in the right andleft direction can also be executed by moving the taking lens 212.Further, the CCD 214 can be rotated ±90° by a CCD rotating mechanism(not shown), which enables the present system to be applied to a casewhere the film image is picked up longitudinally in the film 210.

The frame memory 216 is a memory which stores an image signal for oneframe and outputs the image signal to the image combination circuit 224.The frame memory 216 updates its memory content each time one frame ofthe film 210 is fed. Here, when one frame of the film 210 is fed, thetaking lens 212 is limited to a standard magnification previously set(for example, a magnification at which a film image of the whole of oneframe is placed into the entire screen of the monitor TV 240) and, forthis reason, an image signal output from the frame memory 216 providesan image signal to indicate the film image of the whole of one frame.

The frame generation circuit 222, in accordance with the zoom signal andscan signal input thereto from the operation part 230, generates a framesignal to indicate a trimming frame 241 having a size and a positioncorresponding to the zoom and scan signals and then applies the framesignal to the image combination circuit 224.

The image combination circuit 224 is disabled when a screen switchingswitch 236 of the operation part 230 is off and, when image signals areinput sequentially from the CCD 214, outputs the image signals to themonitor TV 240 as they are. As a result of this, the film image beingcurrently photographed is displayed over the entire screen of themonitor TV 240. On the other hand, the image combination circuit 224 isenabled when the screen switching switch 236 is turned on and an enablesignal is applied thereto, and performs the following image processings.

In other words, as shown in FIG. 26, the image combination circuit 224generates an image signal which allows display of an image consisting ofa screen 240A of the monitor TV 240 and a small screen 240B combinedtherein. Here, to generate the image signal of the image within thesmall screen 240B, an image signal may be generated which consists ofthe image of the whole of one frame and a trimming frame 241 combinedtherewith in accordance with an image signal applied from the framememory 216 and in accordance with a frame signal applied from the framegeneration circuit 222, and the thus generated image signal may be thencompressed. And, the image signal of the above-mentioned small screen240B and a current image signal sequentially input from the CCD 214 areswitched to thereby create an image signal of an image including thesmall screen 240B combined into a given position of the screen 240A.

Due to the fact that the frame generation circuit 222 outputs to theimage combination circuit 224 a frame signal corresponding to a trimmingoperation in the operation part 230 (a zoom signal output from the zoomswitch 232 and a scan signal output from a scan switch 234), thetrimming frame 241, if the zoom switch 232 is operated, is varied insize within the small screen 240B and, if the scan switch 234 isoperated, it is moved within the small screen 240B. Due to this, adesired trimming operation can be performed while observing the trimmingframe 241 within the small screen 240B.

Next, description will be given below of the operation of theabove-mentioned film image input system with reference to a flow chartshown in FIG. 27.

At first, if a frame feeding instruction is output from a frame feedingbutton (not shown) of the operation part 230 (Step 300), then the framefeeding of the film 210 is controlled (Step 302). In the frame feeding,the taking lens 212 picks up the film image at a previously set standardmagnification, thereby allowing the frame memory 216 to store an imagesignal for one frame (Step 304).

Next, it is checked whether the screen switching switch 236 is turned onor not (Step 306). When the screen switching switch 236 is off, then theprogram advances to Step 308, in which only the film image beingcurrently picked up is displayed on the whole screen of the monitor TV240 and after then the program returns back to Step 300.

On the other hand, if the screen switching switch 236 is off, then theprogram advances to Steps 310 and 312. And, if a trimming operationusing the zoom switch 232 and scan switch 234 is performed (Step 310),then a trimming frame corresponding to the trimming operation is createdand the trimming frame is combined into the screen 240A as a smallscreen 240B, and after then the program returns back to Step 300 (Step312). As a result of this, the image being currently picked up withinthe trimming frame is displayed in the screen 240A, and the image of thewhole of one frame and the trimming frame 241 are displayed in the smallscreen 240B (see FIGS. 26 and 28).

And, if a frame instruction is absent (Step 300) and the screenswitching switch 236 is turned on, then a monitor display is madeaccording to the trimming operation. Also, if the frame is fed by theframe feeding instruction, then the storage content of the frame memory216 is updated to an image signal of a new film image, so that atrimming operation of the new film image can be performed similarly tothe above-mentioned case.

Although in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 28, the image ofthe whole of one frame and the trimming frame are displayed in the smallscreen and the image being currently picked up is displayed in theportions of the screen other than the small screen, this is notlimitative but, as shown in FIG. 29, the image of the whole of one frameand the trimming frame may be displayed in the portions of the screenother than the small screen and the image being currently picked upwithin the trimming frame may be displayed in the small screen. Also,there may be provided screen switching means which switches the screenshown in FIG. 28 and the screen shown in FIG. 29.

Seventh Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 30, there is shown a block diagram of a seventhembodiment of a film image input system according to the presentinvention. In FIG. 30, parts used in common with the film image inputsystem shown in FIG. 24 are given the same designations and the detaileddescription thereof is omitted here.

In accordance with the zoom signal and scan signal input from theoperation part 230, the frame generation circuit 252 generates a framesignal to indicate a trimming frame 241 (see FIG. 31 (A) ) having a sizeand a position corresponding to the input zoom and scan signals, andthen outputs the frame signal to an image combination circuit 254.

The image combination circuit 254, in accordance with the image signalapplied from the frame memory 216 and the frame signal applied from theframe generation circuit 252, as shown in FIG. 31 (A), creates an imagesignal consisting of the image of the whole of one frame and thetrimming frame 241 combined therewith, and outputs the thus createdimage signal to a contact 256B of a switching switch 256. Also, to theother contact 256A of the switching switch 256 is being applied from aCCD 214 an image signal which indicates the film image being currentlypicked up.

Now, if the screen switching switch 236 is turned off and a movablecontact 256C of the switching switch 256 is connected to the contact256B, then the image signal created by the image combination circuit 254is applied to the monitor TV 240 and, as shown in FIG. 31 (A), an imageconsisting of the image of the whole of one frame and the trimming frame241 combined therewith is displayed. Due to the fact that the framegeneration circuit 252 outputs to the image combination circuit 254 aframe signal corresponding to a trimming operation (that is, a zoomsignal output from a zoom switch 232 and a scan signal output from ascan switch 234) in the operation part 230, the trimming frame 241 isvaried in size within the screen of the monitor TV 240 if the zoomswitch 232 is operated, and is moved within the screen if the scanswitch 234 is operated. By means of this, a desired trimming operationcan be executed while observing the trimming frame 241 within the screenof the monitor TV 240.

On the other hand, in the above-mentioned display state, if the screenswitching switch 236 is turned on and the movable contact 256C of theswitching switch 256 is connected to the contact 256A, then an imagesignal from the CCD 214 is applied to the monitor TV 240 and, as shownin FIG. 31 (B), the image being currently picked up within the trimmingframe 241 is displayed.

Eighth Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 32, there is shown a block diagram of an eighthembodiment of a film image input system according to the presentinvention. In FIG. 32, parts used in common with the seventh embodimentshown in FIG. 30 are given the same designations and the detaileddescription thereof is omitted here.

The film image input system shown in FIG. 32 is different from the filmimage input system shown in FIG. 30 in that, in place of the framememory 216 and switching switch 256 shown in FIG. 30, there are provideda ROM 262 a RAM 264 and a switching switch 266.

In ROM 262, there are previously stored a zoom signal to indicate astandard magnification and a scan signal to indicate a standardposition. On the other hand, in RAM 264, there are stored the latestzoom signal and scan signal which are applied from the operation part230. Also, in the switching switch 266, if the screen switching switch236 of the operation part 230 is turned on/off, then the movable contact266C thereof is switched to the contact 266A or to the contact 266B andfurther the image combination circuit 254 is enabled only when theswitching switch 266 is turned off.

Next, description will be given below of the operation of theabove-mentioned film image input system.

At first, if the screen switching switch 236 is turned off, then themovable contact 266C of the switching switch 266 is switched to thecontact 266B, so that the zoom signal to indicate the standardmagnification and the scan signal to indicate the standard positionrespectively stored in ROM 262 are applied to the control circuit 242and at the same time an enable signal is applied to the imagecombination circuit 254 to thereby enable the image combination circuit254. Accordingly, the control circuit 242 controls the zoom mechanism244 to execute a zooming operation such that the taking lens 212provides the standard magnification and also controls the scan mechanism248 to execute a scanning operation of the film image in the upward anddownward direction as well as in the right and left direction thereofsuch that the scan position provides the standard position. As a resultof this, an image signal to indicate the film image of the whole of oneframe is applied from the CCD 214 to the image combination circuit 254.

Here, if the zoom switch 232 and scan switch 234 of the operation part230 are operated, then a zoom signal and a scan signal respectivelycorresponding to the operations of these switches are stored in RAM 264and at the same time a frame signal corresponding to these operations isapplied from the frame generation circuit 252 to the image combinationcircuit 254, in which image combination circuit 254 the image signal ofthe whole of one frame is combined with the frame signal. As a result ofthis, a combined image of the image of the whole of one frame and thetrimming frame 41 is displayed on the screen of the monitor TV 240, asshown in FIG. 31 (A).

On the other hand, to display on the monitor TV 240 only the imagewithin the trimming frame that is trimmed in the above-mentioned manner,the screen switching switch 236 is turned on, so that the movablecontact 266C of the switching switch 266 is changed over to the contact266A and at the same time the image combination circuit 254 is disabled.By means of this, a zoom signal and a scan signal respectivelycorresponding to the above-mentioned trimming frame are applied from RAM264 to the control circuit 242 and the zoom mechanism 244 and scanmechanism 248 are controlled in accordance with these zoom and scansignals. As a result of this, only the film image within theabove-mentioned trimming frame is picked up and an image signal toindicate the film image is output through the image combination circuit254 to the monitor TV 240.

Ninth Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 33, there is shown a block diagram of a ninthembodiment of a film image input system according to the presentinvention. In FIG. 33, parts used in common with the film image inputsystem are given the same designations and the detailed descriptionthereof is omitted here.

The present film image input system mainly consists of an image pickupdevice including a taking lens 212 and a CCD 214 to pick up an image ona developed film 210 and output an image signal, a frame detector 270, acontrol circuit 272, an operation part 274, a film feed mechanism 276,an image process circuit 278, a frame memory 280, and a switching switch284.

The frame detector 270 outputs a frame detect signal to the controlcircuit 272 each time one frame of the film 210 is fed. The framedetector 270, as shown in FIG. 34, mainly consists of a sprocket 270Aengageable with a perforation 210A of the film 210, a disc 270Bincluding the same number of blades as the number of teeth of thesprocket 270A to be rotatable together with the sprockets 270A, a photointerrupter 270C for detecting the blades of the disc 270B, and acounter 270D for counting the number of detect signals (pulse signals)applied from the photo interrupter 270C. The counter 270D, each timewhen the count value thereof reaches the number of perforations for oneframe of the film 210, outputs a frame detect signal to the controlcircuit 272.

The operation part 274, as shown in FIG. 36, includes frame feed buttons274A and 274B which are respectively used to feed the frames of the film210 one by one in the forward and reverse directions, a multi-screenforming button 274C, a multi-screen display button 274D, a select markmoving button 274E, and a select button 274F. The operation part 274outputs to the control circuit 272 signals according to the buttonoperations of these buttons.

The control circuit 272, responsive to the various signals appliedthereto from the operation part 274, controls a film feed mechanism 276,an image process circuit 278, a character generator 282 and a switchingswitch 284, as will be discussed later. Also, the control circuit 272has a function to count the number of the frame detect signals appliedfrom the frame detector 270 and detect the number of the frame beingcurrently picked up.

The image process circuit 278 becomes operable if a signal to indicatethe formation of the multi-screen is applied thereto from the controlcircuit 272 and, for this reason, as shown in FIG. 35, the image processcircuit 278 compresses an image signal input from the CCD 214 in orderto form one of 16 small screens constituting the multi-screen and thenstores the compressed image signal in a given storage portion of theframe memory 280 corresponding to the current frame number. The framememory 280 has 16 storage portions and stores the image signals of therespective frames compressed in the respective storage portions. Thatis, the image signals of the multi-screen are to be stored in the framememory 280.

The character generator 282, as shown in FIG. 35, is used to output toan addition point 286 a character signal to indicate a select mark 282Ain order for the select mark 282A to be superimposed on themulti-screen. To the character generator 282 is applied from the controlcircuit 272 a signal which indicates the number of the frame selectedaccording to the operation of the select mark moving button 274E. And,the character generator 282, in accordance with the signal indicatingthe frame number input in the above-mentioned manner, outputs acharacter signal to the addition point 286 at a timing corresponding tothe position of the frame selected.

The switching switch 284, if the movable contact piece 284C thereof isswitched over to the contact 284A, outputs to the monitor TV 240 theimage signal of the multi-screen applied from the frame memory 280 andthe character signal applied from the character generator 282, while theswitching switch 284 outputs to the monitor TV 240 the image signalapplied from the CCD 214 if movable contact piece 284C is switched overto the contact 284B.

Next, description will be given below of the operation of theabove-constructed film image input system with reference to a flow chartshown in FIG. 37.

At first, the control circuit 272 checks from the operation state of themulti-screen forming button 274C whether a multi-screen forming mode isset or not (Step 320). Here, if the multi-screen forming button 274C ispushed once and the multi-screen forming mode is set, then the controlcircuit 272 sets the frame number n for 1 (Step 322), compresses theimage signal of the film image being currently picked up by means of theimage process circuit 278, and then allows the compressed image signalto be stored in the storage portion A_(n) (n=1) of the frame memory 280(Step 324).

Next, it is checked whether the frame number n has reached 16 or not(Step 326). If the frame number n is found smaller than 16, then thefilm feed mechanism 276 is controlled until the frame detect signal isapplied from the frame detector 270 to move the film 210 to thereby feedone frame (Step 328), the frame number n is incremented by 1 (Step 330),and after then the program returns back to Step 324. And, until theframe number n reaches 16, that is, until the image signals are storedin all of the storage portions A_(n) of the frame memory 280, theprocessings from Step 324 to Step 330 are executed repeatedly.

If the image signal corresponding to the multi-screen is stored in theframe memory 280 in the above-mentioned manner, then the thus storedimage signal and the character signal applied from the charactergenerator 282 are output through the switching switch 284 to the monitorTV 240 and, as shown in FIG. 35, the select mark 282A is superimposed onthe multi-screen for display (Step 332). In this state, if the selectmark moving button 274E is operated, then the select mark 282A is movedon the multi-screen responsive to the operation of the button 274E andat the same time the number of the frame in which the select mark 282Ais being displayed is stored in the control circuit 272.

Here, if the select button 274F is turned on (Step 334), then the framein which the select mark 282A is being displayed is selected, and thecontrol circuit 272 controls the film feed mechanism 276 in order thatthe selected frame is to be photographed (Step 336), and also switchesthe movable contact piece 284C of the switching switch 284 to thecontact 284B to thereby output to the monitor TV 240 the image signal ofthe selected frame, so that the selected frame can be displayed on theentire screen (Step 338).

On the other hand, when the multi-screen forming button 274C is notpushed once in Step 320, then the program advances to Step 340, in whichstep it is checked whether the multi-screen should be displayed or not.In other words, if the multi-screen display button 274D is pushed once,then the program advances to Step 332, in which the movable contactpiece 284C of the switching switch 284 is switched to the contact 284Ato display the multi-screen again and a frame selection is executesimilarly to the above-mentioned case. Also, if the multi-screen displaybutton 274D is not pushed once, then the program advances to Step 336,in which by operating the frame feed button 274A or 274B the film 210 isframe fed frame by frame in a forward or reverse direction, therebymaking it possible to select a frame to be displayed on the entirescreen.

Tenth Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 38, there is shown a block diagram of a tenthembodiment of a film image input system according to the presentinvention, in which parts used in common with the ninth embodiment aregiven the same designations.

As shown in FIG. 38, the present film image input system mainly consistsof an image pickup device including a taking lens 212 and a CCD 214, aframe detector 270, a film feed mechanism 276, a control circuit 288, anoperation part 290, a zoom mechanism 244, and an image process circuit292.

The operation part 290, as shown in FIG. 40, includes a search screenmoving buttons 290A and 290B, a search mode button 290C, and selectbuttons 290D, 290E, 290F. The operation part 290 outputs to the controlcircuits 288 signals which correspond to the operations of thesebuttons.

Responsive to the various signals applied thereto from the operationpart 290, the control circuit 288 controls the film feed mechanism 276,zoom mechanism 244 and image process circuit 292, as will be discussedlater.

Now, if in the operation part 290 the search mode button 290C is pushedonce, then the control circuit 288 outputs a zoom signal to the zoommechanism 244 to thereby zoom the taking lens 212 so that the takinglens 212 can provide an angle of field which allows the film images ofthree frames to be picked up simultaneously. As a result of this, thefilm images of three frames are displayed on the monitor TV 240, asshown in FIG. 39. At the same time, the control circuit 288 also outputsan enable signal to the image process circuit 292 to thereby enable theimage process circuit 292, with the result that the image processcircuit 292 executes a mask processing and other processings in orderthat other images than the film images of three frames cannot bedisplayed on the monitor TV 240.

Here, if the frame to be observed is absent in the display screen, thenthe search screen moving button 290A or 290B is pushed once. If thesearch screen moving button 290A or 290B is pushed once, the controlcircuit 288 outputs a frame feed signal to the film feed mechanism 276to thereby move the film 210 by three frames in a forward direction orin a reverse direction by means of the film feed mechanism 276.

On the other hand, if the frame to be observed is present in the displayscreen, then one of the select buttons 290D, 290E, and 290F pushed oncewhich corresponds to the frame. If one of the select buttons 290D, 290Eand 290F is pushed once, then the control circuit 288 outputs a zoomsignal to the zoom mechanism 244 to zoom the taking lens 212 so that thetaking lens 212 provides an angle of field to allow the film image ofone frame to be displayed on the entire screen. At the same time, thecontrol circuit 288 also outputs a disable signal to the image processcircuit 292 to disable the image process circuit 292, therebyprohibiting the mask processing by the image process circuit 292.

Further, if the select button 290D or 290F is pushed once, then thecontrol circuit 288 outputs a frame feed signal to the film feedmechanism 276 to thereby move the film 210 by one frame in a forwarddirection or in a reverse direction by means of the film feed mechanism276. This makes it possible to select quickly the frame to be displayedon the entire screen.

Eleventh Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 41, there is shown a block diagram of an eleventhembodiment of a film image input system according to the presentinvention, in which parts used in common with the ninth embodiment aregiven the same designations.

As shown in FIG. 41, the present film image input system mainly consistsof an image pickup device including a taking lens 212 and a CCD 214, aframe detector 276, an operation part 274, a film feed mechanism 276, acontrol circuit 294, an image process circuit 296, and a frame memory298.

When comparing the ninth and eleventh embodiments with each other, theeleventh embodiment is different from the ninth embodiment mainly inthat the frame memory 298 has storage portions corresponding a pluralityof frames. That is, if in the operation part 274 the multi-screenforming button 274C is pushed once and thus a multi-screen forming modeis set, then the control circuit 294 controls the film feed mechanism276 to frame feed the film 210 by a given number of frames (for example,by four frames) sequentially and also controls the image process circuit296 to allow the frame memory 298 to store the image signals of theseframes sequentially.

When the image signals of the given number of frames are stored in theframe memory 298 in the above-mentioned manner, then the image processcircuit 296 reads out the image signals of all frames from the framememory 298, compresses these image signals respectively to therebygenerate an image signal corresponding to a multi-screen consisting of agiven number of frames, and outputs the image signal to the monitor TV240. As a result of this, the multi-screen consisting of a given numberof frames can be displayed on the monitor TV 240.

And, if one frame is selected from the multi-screen by the operationpart 274, then the image process circuit 296 reads out an image signalof the selected frame from the frame memory 298, and outputs the imagesignal to the monitor TV 240. As a result of this, only the selectedframe can be displayed on the entire screen of the monitor TV 240.

As has been described heretofore, according to the film image inputsystem of the invention, due to the fact that the optical axis of thetakings lens is bent by use of the mirror, the whole system can be madecompact, it is possible to supply a taking lens of a variable imagemagnification by use of an inexpensive single focus lens, and there iseliminated the need to move the image pickup element independently tothereby avoid inconveniences provided when the image pickup element ismoved.

Also, according to the present invention, due to the fact that the filmimage is scanned by adjusting the angle of inclination of the mirror,the scan mechanism can be made compact and also, due to the fact thatthe optical axis of the taking lens is bent by the mirror, the wholesystem can be made compact and the freedom of design of the whole systemcan be expanded. Further, due to the fact that the mirror and the filmor two mirrors are rotated at a given relationship therebetween tothereby allow the optical axis of the taking lens to always intersectthe surface of the film at a right angle irrespective of the scanpositions, focusing can be achieved over the whole image even if theimage magnification is great and the depth of field is shallow.

Moreover, according to the present invention, due to the fact that, whenperforming a trimming operation, a screen to display a combined pictureof an image of the whole of one frame and a trimming frame and a screento display the image being currently picked up within the trimming frameare displayed in combination within one screen, a desired trimmingoperation can be executed while observing the trimming frame. Also, theimage being trimmed and the image of the whole of one frame can beconfirmed at the same time and further it is possible to display onlythe trimming image after the trimming operation is completed. Inaddition, due to the fact that a plurality of frames can be displayedsimultaneously on the monitor TV and a desired frame can be selectedwhile observing the display screen of the monitor TV, it is possible tosearch a film having a large number of frames for the desired frameeasily and quickly.

It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limitthe invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, theinvention is to cover all modifications, alternate constructions andequivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention asexpressed in the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A film image input system, comprising:setting means forsetting a developed still photo film at a predetermined taking position;lighting means for lighting said developed still photo film set by saidsetting means; an image pickup element having a light-receiving surface;a zoom lens for forming a film image of at least a portion of a frame ofsaid developed still photo film lighted by said lighting means on saidlight-receiving surface of said image pickup element by zooming in orout, said image pickup element outputting image signals corresponding tosaid film image; signal process means for processing said image signalsoutputted from said image pickup element and outputting said processedimage signals to a monitor TV; first and second mirrors respectivelyinterposed between said photo film and said zoom lens for bending theoptical axis of said zoom lens; first mirror drive means for incliningsaid first mirror about at least two axes; second mirror drive means forinclining said second mirror about at least two axes; and, means fordriving said first and second mirror drive means in order to execute adesired scanning operation, said driving means driving and controllingsaid first and second mirror drive means to incline said first andsecond mirrors at a given relationship so that the optical axis of saidzoom lens intersects the surface of said photo film at a right angle. 2.A film image input system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said photofilm, first and second mirrors, zoom lens and image pickup element aredisposed on the same plane, and said first and second mirrors bend theoptical axis of said zoom lens substantially in an S shape or in a Zshape.
 3. A film image input system as set forth in claim 1, whereinsaid photo film, first and second mirrors, zoom lens and image pickupelement are disposed on the same plane, and said first and secondmirrors bend the optical axis of said zoom lens substantially in a Ushape.
 4. A film image input system as set forth in claim 1, whereinsaid means for driving and controlling said first and second mirrordrive means comprises operation means for driving said first mirrordrive means in order to execute a desired scanning operation, andcontrol means for controlling said second mirror drive means to inclinesaid second mirror at the same angle as that of said first mirrorinclined by said first mirror drive means.
 5. A film image input systemas set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for driving and controllingsaid first and second mirror drive means comprises operation means foroutputting a scan instruction in order to execute a desired scanningoperation and control means, in accordance with the scan instructionoutput from said operation means, for controlling said first and secondmirror drive means at the same time so that said first and secondmirrors can be inclined in the same direction and at the same angle.